Friday, February 18, 2011

Bringing FOOTBALL back in the Mainstream Philippine Sports

This is an off topic subject for our dear readers but I would like to share my opinion and experiences on this game. I hate to admit Filipinos are basketball crazy even if they are lacking with the height advantages needed which I consider in asset among aficianados of this basketball.

However, Football or Soccer is one dynamic sports that requires, a lot of running, wit, stamina and determination plus team work and patience in scoring a goal. It does not require height as long as you can run kick the ball and play the full 45 minutes of play in the field.

I played this team sport during our high school years and at times represented our school as a backup right wing defender and right midfield players.

How come football never became our main staple sport?

People ask this question alot of times because:

1. We were much alienated with American culture as basketball became our national past time.
2. Basketball courts are easy to build even on the busy streets even in barrios children (teens) play anywhere.
3. Construction of football field requires a large tracts of land and there is not much space to build in a urbanized environment like in Metro Manila wherein major universities such as UST, Ateneo, University of Makati have the fields to practice or play the game.
4. Not much emphasis was given by the government or sports development commissions to bring football to the mainstream especially the media, major company sponsorships etc.

I hope that the winning streak would continue and that renewed strength and continued support by the Filipino public, major companies and at at the same time the Philippine government in seeing Philippine team appear and reach the World Cup 2014.